Fun BlogWelcome to the Fun Patrol Blog

The Okanagan is beginning to look like a winter wonderland!  Wednesday was blue skies and Friday is snow!  As the local ski mountains prepare to open there is a buzz on the streets that folks can wait to get on those boards.  Silverstar has a tentative opening date of November 24th, 2011 and Big White is tentatively scheduled for December 3rd, 2011. When looking at buying equipment this year, please buy locally.  The last 2 years in the tourism industry have not been the best for retailers so let's be sure to shop locally this year to support our local mountains and local communities economy. We look forward to welcoming visitors with lots of powder!

Looking to getaway because kids are back in school and this is the time of year you prefer to travel?  Well as an individual without children this is definitely my favorite time of the year to travel.  The evenings are cool and everyday is a surprise.  If the day is sunny it is a blessing if it changes to cool weather it shouldn't come as a shock. We are having a magnificent late summer and it's predicted for a while yet.  If you are out and about this weekend, be sure to come to the ArtWalk in Lake Country.  A must see if you love art or if you are just learning about it.  One of the best in BC. Experience life the www.OkanaganWay.com.

We have more guests than we have rental properties.  Do you have a furnished property that you would like to rent out short or long term?  Lake Country is becoming more popular in the Okanagan Valley.  With Wineries, Lakes, Golf Courses and lots of green space, people are loving the lifestyle.  When you come to Lake Country you get the feel of the country with an International Airport 10 minutes away with direct flights starting this fall to Pheonix.  Great for the winter getaway! Or maybe you love Big White and Silver Star for the white fluffy stuff!  Whatever you are looking for in life the Okanagan has it, even if it's an airport. LOL Come live, stay, play or invest!

An amazing thunder and lightening show ripped through the Thompson Okanagan last night.  The roar of the thunder was amazing and the lightening lit up the sky for miles.  If you like a good storm, last night was fantastic. Only to wake up to a nice watering of the city to keep us green!

Well we had a great Garage Sale this weekend and met so many wonderful and interesting people.  Thanks to everyone that stopped by and supported the sale. This is an amazing neighborhood, full of knowledge, humor and intellect. One fellow that came by was particularily interesting to me as I felt a connection in a spiritual way.  When I asked him his name he said 'Reg', I mentioned that was my brother's name.  The gentleman asked me my name and I told him 'Katrina' and he replied with oh, that's my daughter's name.  What are the odds to have relatively unusual names and have both of them in the same family.  Well Reg, it was a true pleasure meeting you and I hope you set up a booth at the ArtWalk one of these years!  Then we had a wonderful man named G...

The owners of 10764 Russell Rd are having a Garage Sale this weekend.  Need a SNOW BLOWER or how about some weights to look hot for your winter vacation? TONS of STUFF!! Saturday Aug 6th and Sunday Aug 7th, 8am - 4pm. 10764 Russell Road, Lake Country, BC Buy the house with all the furnishings!!

What a great weekend for visitors to come to Lake Country.  The beaches & Lakes were full of guests from everywhere.  It was a wonderful sight to see everyone enjoying the BC Day long weekend. If you are looking for some great places to stop and visit with the family be sure to check out, the Oyama Alpacas, Ziplines or maybe rent a bicycle.  Craving some of that great Okanagan Pie, be sure to stop by Gatzke's orchard and pick one up for dinner.  Don't forget one of those award winning bottles of wine to add to the masterpiece at Gray Monk, Arrow Leaf or Ex-Nihilo.  OK...so maybe dinner out is the plan. Whatever your budget we have restaurants to choose from.  Fine dining at Grapevine Restaurant or Ricardos Mediterranean Kitchen, Casual piping hot fresh p...

Every Saturday evening during July & August! Starts at 6pm at various parks in Lake Country! Free family friendly evenings!  The Lake Country Open Air Performance Society (LCOAPS) is a not-for-profit initiative created and organized by volunteers in the community of Lake Country. The Society was co-founded by Amber Hugo and Grant Lawrence in 2007 and has a Board of Directors overseeing operations.  The Lake Country Open Air Performance Society's mandate is to provide free outdoor music concerts for the residents of and visitors to Lake County during the months of July and August every year. Concerts are held throughout the District of Lake Country at community and regional parks. Each concert features talented local musicians in a variety of genres, as well as artisan...

Did you know that if you purchase a home and you're not ready to move that Fun Patrol Vacations will get you renters? The Okanagan is busy through the summer with vacationers and in the winter with students attending our University and College.  There is a waiting list a mile long at the University for residency.  If you are looking for options to purchase a property for rental revenue, consider a couple key things. Number one is to be competative with the current market.  Consider the bus route if you are assuming students will book with you.  Several students don't drive and many of them come from International destinations.  Subway is always a hot spot for the students.  Does it take them forever to get to the mall? All guests like amenities.  When ...

Well it's official the new 4 lane hwy into Lake Country has begun.  This hwy will replace the stretch along Wood Lake which has proven to be very dangerous over the years.  This project is to be completed by the summer of 2013. If you are not familiar with Lake Country, be sure to check out www.okanaganway.com and it will tell you all about this wonderful community.

We at Fun Patrol have plugged in!  The best way to know the latest trends in the Industry is to get connected.  Katrina Landles has joined the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce as a Director and Chair for the Tourism Committee.  As a commitment to knowing how to best promote the area and get our visitors what they are looking for we have strategically placed ourselves in a position of knowledge. Next week TOTA (Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association) is hosting a Strategic Planning Session.  This will be a full day workshop that includes Tourism Businesses along the Okanagan Valley to work strategically in building synergies to best promote our area.  This past week Katrina attended a dinner reception with Ministry Trade & Investment Representatives from ar...

A successful event held at Gatzke's Orchard in Lake Country last night.  There were several Chamber of Commerce Businesses that came out to participate in the Annual Valley Wide.  Fun Patrol wants to shout out a big 'thanks' to all those who stopped by our booth.  If you have guests coming to town and they are looking for a beautiful property to vacation at, please be sure to have them check out our site.  Or if you would like to list your property with us as a vacation rental, we would be pleased to add you to our inventory of beautiful properties.  Vendors varied from Ziplines to Investment Brokers.  There were approx 450 tickets sold and the weather held up nicely for all of us.  Thanks to Linda & her team at the Chamber of Commerce and the ...

Tripadvisor.com has just released its 2011 list of Canada's best beaches and named the Okanagan Valley as having the second best in the country. Click here to checkout the story on Castanet!

Looking for a family getaway to hide some Easter eggs?  Hope into the Okanagan and stay at one of our beautiful properties.  Great rates and lot's of amenities! Never too late to plan a getaway.

Opening 2011 Ziplining is a dynamic and exciting event, and demands that participants be comfortable and ready for physical activity.  Guests should be mentally and physically ready to spend 2-3 hours standing, walking in a forest environment over nature paths, climbing stairs, hanging in a harness, and following guide safety instructions. Note that Oyama Ziplines involve very little walking between ziplines compared to some. Guests should not be under the influence of any recreational or prescription drugs or alcohol that could impair their ability to walk, balance or communicate.Clothing should be loose, comfortable, durable and weather appropriate. Footwear should be close-toed and securely fastened. NO flip-flops, rubber boots, high heels, etc. Items not recommended include jewel...

When you book Unit #18, 20% of the sales will be donated to the Red Cross to the victims of the Japan Crisis.  We feel this is something small that we can do for the unfortunate victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami.  This disaster has taken many lives and continues to challenge the human spirit. As we are fortunate to have the ability to be warm at night and be with our friends and family, Fun Patrol Vacations wants to make a difference in someone's life no matter how big or how small.  We thank you in advance for considering to book with us.  We also challenge others vacation properties to do the same!  We can make a difference.

If you are planning at trip out of town with the girls or just planning a girls weekend....be sure to bring in the spa service.  It's reasonable and a great way to relax; endulge in girls only conversations.  Break out the herbal teas and hot towels.  Wine to be paired with dinner when created by your Private Chef. Choose from relaxation massage, pedicure or manicure.  Aura Beauty specializes in 'Chic Spa Parties' and proudly uses eco-friendly, vegan certified and organic products.  If you book them while staying at one of our properties they will extend a 10% discount.  Nothing like a girls get pampered weekend.

Lake Country has a new Marina opening at Wood Lake.  Exciting news for locals and guests coming to town.  Access to the lakes can sometimes be an issue...not anymore...and lots of room to park your trailer.  Book a slip for your boat at Wood Lake Marina where there will be wake board lessons, canoe and kayak rentals.  Cruise Wood Lake and travel through the canal to Kalamalka Lake (National Geographics top ten lakes).  Kalamalka known as the lake of many colours. If you want to pull your boat from the marina for the day...go launch it over the hill on Okanagan Lake.  Did you know Okanagan Lake Runs from Vernon to Penticton?  No shortage of water activities in the Okanagan...the only problem is finding the time. Woohoo for moorage!  If you...

The Okanagan has a lot of inventory.  More and more investors are deciding to list their properties as vacation rentals.  Do you know who you're dealing with and what the going rates are?  Everybody wants the best bang for their buck.  When you are talking value for holidays, be sure to give Fun Patrol a call.  We keep well informed of the going rates in the area. List with us!  We don't want all the properties...we only want the properties with value.  Living in the area gives us an advantage!  Local knowledge goes a long way!  We offer piece of mind!

With many Provinces in Canada and States in America dealing with the winter blues...the Okanagan is sunny and beautiful.  The forecasters are calling for a wet Spring.  This is good for all the growth in the area.  This should make our juices even sweeter. Come to Kelowna and spend a month.

Everyone is getting tired of the winter blues!  Phones are ringing with vacation inquiries to the Okanagan.  Have you planned your May long weekend yet?  Many of the vacation properties are booking early with several early booking promotions.  If you want to get the prime time for your family and friends be sure to plan ahead. When you book your vacaton property with Fun Patrol Vacations, remember that we go the extra mile to provide you the extras you're looking for on vacation.  Isn't it time to let someone else do the cooking?  You don't have to go out for dinner every night and you don't have to do all the work.  We have great private chefs that will come in and either cook with you or prepare your dinner for your arrival.  Isn't it nice to know...

Next trip you plan to the Okanagan...SPOIL yourself.  Let us bring the concierge services to you when you stay at one of our properties.  From in-house spa, private chef & wine tours to planning your stay.

If you have a group of people wanting to go on a vacation, we have a couple of options.  Either book Urban Villa which sleeps 16 people in true European flair downtown Kelowna or book 4, two bedroom condos in Emerald Point with an outdoor pool and next to the beach. We may not have 500 properties to choose from, but the ones we have are all wonderful to experience the sweet taste of the Okanagan.  From a bachelor suite overlooking a vineyard with Okanagan Lake views to a full service Bed & Breakfast.  Our large property that hosts larger groups is filling fast so book early.  There are still spots available in July. Once you get here we have all the concierge services available to you and your guests.  Fun Patrol has aligned themselves with some of the b...

Well after 15 years of being together, we decided to get married. We moved to the Okanagan 6 years ago and life has been wonderful ever since.  One day we were at Cedar Creek Winery and I said, "if we ever get married, this is where I want it to happen".  Well dreams come true because that is where we are getting married.  Followed by a dinner reception at the Eldorado Hotel. Initially I thought I better get a wedding planner for the big day.  Then the phone began ringing last September from brides afar wanting to book properties in the Okanagan for their upcoming weddings.  It became quite clear that we should know what is happening in Kelowna for wedding parties coming to the area.  What a better way to do this than getting involved in planning our own wed...

Did you know that if you are interested in renting your property on a short term rental there are certain zoning requirements?  If you are wanting to rent your property out for the summer to guests visiting the Okanagan, first step is to call City Hall zoning department and determine if your property is zoned for short term rentals.  Many vacation properties are zoned for minimum 30 day rentals.  If you choose to proceed without correct zoning, the next step is to make sure your neighbors are OK with it.  If there is ever a problem, your neighbors will be the first to complain.  You could be subject to a $10,000 fine by the bylaw officer if you don't cover your basis. If you meet the zoning requirements and want to rent your property for short or long term, give ...

Well after attending a presentation at the District office last night, I realize how important it is to keep my BLOG updated and link all my social media sites together.  The real issue is that it takes a lot of commitment and time to keep the information current. For those of you that check into our site to see what's new; we thank you!  We are currently in the process of configuring Okanagan Central Reservation.  There will be upcoming changes to our site and our systems.  It is our dedication to become more tech savvy in a world of instant reactions. If you know of a student that is tech savvy and looking for an opportunity to put their skills to the test, have them call us.  This individual must have excellent English and be proficient in social media. ...

What could be more perfect than clear roads in the City and snow on the Mountains.  This is truly the best of both worlds.  All indications prior to the winter were that we were in for a lot of snow.  Well so far we've been really lucky.  The temperatures have been cold but that reminds us that we live in a destination of all seasons. If you're looking for something fun to do, check out the Kelowna Rockets.  Did you know that 4 of the players on the Rockets team played in the World Junior Competition over the holidays?  Maybe try out the new outdoor skating rink downtown Kelowna. There are always things to do in the Okanagan, but if you are a true winter enthusiast, be sure to check out the wonderful, Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding and Cross Country.